Mar 23, 2011

You might be lonely, but on the Alzheimer's Reading Room you are never alone.

By Bob DeMarcoAlzheimer's Reading Room

I wanted to write those words for a long time. However, I was reluctant to do it. No longer. I am now comfortable saying -- on the Alzheimer's Reading Room you are never alone.

You are never alone.

One of the most important features of the Alzheimer's Reading Room are the comments from readers. The comments are real words from Alzheimer's caregivers and members of the Alzheimer's community.

The number and the quality of the comments continues to improve. In the last few days the number of comments and the quality of the comments has been nothing short of remarkable.

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The size of the Collective Brain of the Alzheimer's Reading Room continues to grow. The Brain also grows stronger each day. We grow stronger.

I think most would agree, when you come here you are never alone.

Loneliness is an unpleasant feeling. When you put lonliness on top of all the trials and tribulations that come with Alzheimer's caregiving it is that much more burdensome.

You are never Alone here.

There can be no doubt that I am the biggest beneficiary of the Collective Brain. I am a very fortunate Alzheimer's caregiver.

People ask me repeatedly. Aren't you lonely? How do you do it? Aren't you sad?

No, I am not lonely. I am not sad. And, I do it the same way everyone else does it -- one day at a time.

I can't answer this question. How long do you think you will be doing this?

How long? I will be doing the this -- taking care of Dotty -- until I can no longer do it.

I'll stop if the day comes that I am doing more bad than good. I'll accept the alternative to taking care of Dotty at home when and if I have too. I'll be smart about it. This is about Dotty, not about me.

In the meantime, I have one simple goal. Keep Dotty, here, at home, until the end. I believe we will make it. I mean that when I say it. I believe we will.

I can take comfort in this simple reality -- I am never lonely, and I am never alone.

When the going gets tough I take my strength from the Collective Brain.

Bob DeMarco is the Founder of the Alzheimer's Reading Room and an Alzheimer's caregiver. The ARR knowledge base contains more than 3,811 articles with more than 306,100 links on the Internet. Bob lives in Delray Beach, FL.

The Alzheimer's Reading Room does not provide medical advice. The contents are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The views of the individuals that write on this website, contribute articles, or are quoted on this site are not necessarily those of the Alzheimer's Reading Room. For specific, personalized medical advice we encourage you to contact your physician.Unauthorized use and/or duplication of all materials and articles in the Alzheimer's Reading Room without the express and written permission from Bob DeMarco are strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given and appropriate and specific direction to the original content is included.